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2026 National APSE Board of Directors At-Large Candidate

CLICK to meet all nominees before the election ends on March 15.

Please describe your history/nature of involvement/interest in promoting competitive integrated employment in your state. Additionally, explain why you are passionate about competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities:

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a sustained commitment to supporting individuals in achieving meaningful, competitive employment and to advancing the quality and integrity of employment services within the behavioral health field. My professional journey began in December 2011, when I joined the organization as an Employment Specialist. This role served as the foundation of my passion for workforce development, vocational support, and person‑centered service delivery. Working directly with participants allowed me to gain deep insight into the unique strengths, goals, and challenges faced by individuals seeking to enter or reenter the workforce. It also instilled in me a strong belief in the power of employment as a transformative element that enhances confidence, stability, and overall well‑being. As I continued to grow within the organization, I advanced into the position of Program Coordinator. In this role, I expanded my responsibilities to include staff support, program oversight, and the development of efficient processes that improved service outcomes. This experience strengthened my leadership abilities and deepened my understanding of how to effectively balance program performance expectations with the individualized needs of participants. I later transitioned into the role of Director, where I assumed responsibility for broader program operations, community relationship building, and strategic planning. This role enhanced my ability to guide teams, manage resources thoughtfully, and elevate service quality across multiple program components. I currently serve as the Vice President of Behavioral Health Services, where I oversee two Employment Programs designed to support individuals as they obtain and maintain competitive, integrated employment. In this capacity, I am responsible for ensuring that services align with evidence‑based practices, regulatory expectations, and the organization’s mission. I prioritize creating an environment where staff feel supported, valued, and equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to deliver high‑quality, person‑centered employment services. My work focuses on strengthening program structures, enhancing service delivery models, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Professional development has been a consistent priority throughout my career. I have successfully taken and passed the Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) examination twice, demonstrating my ongoing dedication to maintaining expertise in the field. Additionally, I hold the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Certification, which further supports my role in overseeing programs grounded in evidence‑based supported employment. These credentials underscore my commitment to upholding high professional standards and ensuring that our programs reflect the most effective and ethical approaches to employment services. Ultimately, my mission is centered on empowering both participants and staff. I strive to help individuals secure meaningful employment opportunities while also guiding staff toward mastery of best practices that truly make a difference. I am committed to continuously learning, adapting, and improving so that I can support the organization, the teams I lead, and the individuals we serve with the highest level of dedication and expertise. My work is driven by a genuine passion for helping people achieve their employment goals and creating pathways to long‑term success.

What best represents your position/lived experience?

Service Provider or Manager

What skills, knowledge, or lived experience do you have that will contribute to strengthening and growing the financial health of APSE and promoting its mission to advance employment and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities?

I have been in the Supported Employment Field for roughly 15 years and have watched the field evolve and grow so much bigger than what it was. I have learned so much through that time and feel my knowledge will be valuable to add great opinions and suggestions as needed.

How do you think serving on the National APSE Board will help you grow as a leader in the Employment First Movement?

I think serving on the National APSE board will strongly help me grow as a leader by allowing me to work with other individuals in the same field and learn from them. Seeing that it is National we will be from all over so I will get the opportunity to not just learn about how other Programs work and run things but also share my ideas and what I found that works for me and my program. Although I have been in the field for 15 years there is always learning and growing that can happen and I never want to stop as I can always strive to improve in myself.

Biography

Lauren Pace, M.Ed., CESP, IPS Vice President, Behavioral Health & Career Development | Marrakech Lauren Pace is an established leader in behavioral health and career development, with more than 15 years of progressive experience in the Employment Services field. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in Counseling and Vocational Development, and she is credentialed as a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) and in Individual Placement and Support (IPS). Lauren began her career as an Employment Specialist, where her passion for supporting individuals in achieving meaningful and sustainable employment quickly set her apart. Her dedication, hands-on approach, and commitment to empowering others propelled her into roles of increasing responsibility, ultimately leading to her position as Vice President of Behavioral Health and Career Development Programs at Marrakech. In her executive role, Lauren draws upon her deep knowledge of employment services, vocational counseling, and evidence-based practice to mentor and guide the staff who work directly with program participants. She is a firm believer in the power of engaged, hands-on leadership, and she remains actively involved in supporting both staff and participants to ensure the highest quality of person-centered services. Lauren’s work is rooted in the belief that employment is transformative—providing independence, dignity, and a foundation for long-term well-being. Through her leadership, she continues to strengthen systems, elevate service quality, and create pathways that help individuals reach their fullest potential.